2002 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee - The most complete and delicious 2002 vintage Champagne I’ve tried to date. I’d say only the 2002 Cristal had a more refined presence in the mouth, but I find it much less complex overall than the Vilmart. Wide open right now, too. Distinctive as always but really a step up even from the lovely 2001.
2002 Bollinger Cote aux Enfants - This is the still Pinot Noir Bollinger produces, and while it’s certainly interesting to drink, it’s not worth purchasing IMO. I would never have guessed PN blind, in fact. Tastes, and is colored, more like a Northern Rhone. The nose is great, throwing off plum, savory and mineral notes. A bit heavy and sweet on the palate, meh.
1995 Hubert Lignier Chambolle Musigny Les Baudes - Silky smooth and funky, like all of Hubert’s wines. Savory and spice notes have my head spinning and an initial hole in the mid-palate firms up with air. Lovely juice, especially for a 1995.
Nice to hear the 02 Coeur eclipses the 01, that’s really saying quite a bit!
Rico - I found the 2002 to have a bit more depth than the 2001 but I’m a huge fan of the latter as well.
I’ve had Lignier’s 1995 Morey VV and Chaffots in the past 6 months. Both were beginning to sh0w nicely with the firmness of the vintage finally softening up.
Thanks Peter,
Count me as a big fan of both also…
It’s an argument over greats. I love them both. I wish the Crystal was $50 cheaper and at the Vilmart price point. I give the Vilmart the edge for value but adore both wines.
[quote=“Peter C.”]2002 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee - The most complete and delicious 2002 vintage Champagne I’ve tried to date. I’d say only the 2002 Cristal had a more refined presence in the mouth, but I find it much less complex overall than the Vilmart. Wide open right now, too. Distinctive as always but really a step up even from the lovely 2001.
The 02 Coeur is right up there with the best Coeur de Cuvees produced to date. I like the 2001 and it is a tremendous effort for the vintage, but I find it a bit leaner fruit-wisethan other vintages. This gives it a little bit of a different spin and one that lets the spice and cream stand out more than normal; for me, it needs some time to mellow out in the oak department.
For Coeur fans, the 2003 has also been out for a few months (not sure if it is in the US yet). This is quite forward and drinking well right now, but it will also age. If you see some, snap it up as production was half the norm. It isn’t as good as the spectacular 2002, but I like it better than the 2001 and it is one of the best 2003s out there. Additionally, it is something to drink to allow other vintages that need more time to get some rest.
I’ve loved every Vilmart I’ve had but have had precious few.
I do have a bottle a home, not sure which one, but I’ll be going in the fridge and down my gullet soon!